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B J. SHE'EHY..

ELEGTRIG-LIGHT REGULATOR AND OUT OUT.

Patented Mar. 11, 1884 INVLN OR .HoZerZ J Sizes/137.,

By Attorneys N. PETERS. Pmwumu m har. waminginn. 0.1;.

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R. J. SHEEHY.

ELECTRIC LIGHT REGULATOR AND OUT OUT. No. 295,068. Patented Mar. 11,1884.

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R. J. SHEEHY.

. ELECTRIC LIGHT REGULATOR AND OUT OUT.

No. 295,058. Patent ed Mar. 11, 1884.

WIIINESSES 17v VEJVTOR N. PETERS. Fboto'limegnphon Washingnn. DJ;

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IOBERT J. SIIEEl-IY, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y;

ELECTRIC-LIGHT REGULATOR AND -CUT=OUT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 295,058, dated March11, 1884,

Application filed July 1'7, 1882.

(No model.)

. citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in thecounty and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Electric-Light Regulators and Gut-Outs, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of electric lights in which theso-called electric arc is maintained between two carbon electrodes. Itparticularly relates to a class of devices or appliances commonlydenominatec regulators, the office of, which is to automaticallymaintain said electrodes in that relation to each other which isessential to the production of a uniform and maximum degree ofillumination, and also to certain devices or appliances commonlydenominatec cut-outs, the function of which is to automatically withdrawfrom an electric circuit in which two or more lights are included anyone of said lights in the event of its failure to operate, or in case itpresents an abnormal resistance to the passage of the current from anycause.

To these ends my invention consists in a method of and apparatus forautomatically maintaining the proper relative positions of saidelectrodes; in a method of and apparatus for automatically withdrawing adefective lamp from the electric circuit, and in automaticallyreintroducing said lamp into said circuit when the conditions necessaryfor successful operation are restored.

IVith reference to the said system of regulation, the several steps ofmy improved method may be described in general as follows:

First. The carbon electrodes are subjected to the action of a constanceforce, preferably that of a clock-work mechanism, which tends to bringthem into contact with each other. In applying such force I prefer tomake use of mechanical'devices, whereby it acts to simultaneouslydepress the positive and elevate the negative electrode.

Second. I employ a novel form of clutch or clamping device actuated byelectromagnetism, so organized as to grasp (through intermediatemechanism) said electrodes at the proper time, and to impart to them themechanical force exerted by said elect-ro magnetl ism, which issufficient to overcome the con stant force acting in the oppositedirection, and thereby to maintain said electrodes in the relativeposition best suited to the development of a maximum intensity of light.

Third. The electro-magnetic force may be created by the independentaction of the lightproducing current, so that an increase in thestrength of said current will produce a separation of the electrodes,while a decrease will cause them to approximate.

Fourth. In order to secure greater efficiency in the operation of theclutch, I prefer to de rive the electromagnetic energy actuating thesame from the forces of attraction and repulsion existing between anelect-ro-magnet situated in the main or lighting circuit and an armaturewhich is polarized by that portion of the current traversing a derivedcircuit which spans both the electric arc and the said electro-inagnet.The helices employed are so wound that like magnetic poles are made toconfront each other. Accordingly,when there is but little resistance inthe light-circuit, the said electro magnct will be excitedto ahighdegree of magnetization and the said armature to alow degree, and astrong attraction will result; but as the resistance of thelight-producing circuit is increased, the strength of the currenttraversingtheshunt-circuitwill be augmented, and the said armature willtherefore attai 11 to a higher degree of polarity, and a repulsion willbe gradually substituted for the previously-existing attraction. Thusthe abnormal approach of the electrodes establishes the conditions whichare to cause their separation, and vice versa. By these appliances I amenabled to maintain a comparatively uniform length of are and degree ofillumination.

\Vith reference to that part of my invention which provides for thewithdrawal of a de fective lamp from a circuit in which several lampsare placed in series, and the reintroduction of restored lamps, mymethod may be described in general as follows:

First. I make use of an armature, which may be the same as thathereinbefore referred to, and in like manner polarized by a derivedcurrent. \Vhen the electrodes become so far sepa rated as to introduceinto the light-circuit an abnormally-great resistance, rendering it de-2 new ess sirable that the light should be withdrawn from the circuit,the resulting movement of said polarized armature will cause the closingof a shunt or cut-out circuit of small resist ance spanning the electricarc.

Second. The movement of the polarized armature may result from itsattraction for a stationary piece of soft iron; but I prefer tosubstitute therefor an eleetro-magnet situated in the light-circuit, thepolarity of which is opposite to that of the said polarized arma ture.Its attractive force therefore increases in proportion to the increaseof the resistance of the electric arc.

Third. To automatically reintroduce into the circuit an electric lampafter its normal conditions of successful operation have been restored,I avail myself of the pressure of the electrodes upon each other. Thispressure (transmitted through intermediate mechaa ism) is caused toactuate a switch, thereby temporarily introducing into the main circuitan extension or loop, in which is included an eleetro-magnet of smallresistance, operating to imn'iediately interrppt the hereinbeforementioned shunt oflow resistance, and there by to permit thelighting-current to again traverse the electrodes and to relighttlielamp in the manner described above.

My invention further comprises certain details of mechanism, theparticular subject matter claimed being hereinafter specificallydesignated.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure .1. is

a theoretical diagram, designed to exhibit clearly to the eye thegeneral. organization of electric circuits employed in connection withmy regulator, as well as some of the mechanical devices which I find itconvenient to use. Some of these devices are represented both in planand elevation. Fig. 2 is a front elevation, and Fig. 3 a plan, of aconvenient form of my improved regulator, exhibiting the details ofconstruct-ion.

Referring to the iigu res, the upper or positive carbon, Afis attachedby the clamp 13 to the nut 13 sliding vertically along the guiderods 0and (J as the screw 1) is revolved within said nut. The lower ornegative carbon, A", is carried by the bracket I), which is it selfsupported by a screw, I), turningin a revolving nut-block, 1), andinsulated at I). The thread of the last-mentioned screw is inclined in adirection opposite to that of the thread of the screw 1). \Vhen,therefore, the clock-work mechanism (which is actuated by a springcontained in the drum E, and which comprises the wheels 13*, 3, ll, Ff,and E) is in operation, the carbon A will be caused to descend as thewheel E revolvcs,and the carbon A to ascend as the wheel 11 revolves.Any force which acts to reverse the direction of the movement of theclock mechanism will, in like manner, cause the carbons to separate.

Upon the upper face of the wheel' Ff is formed a rim or annular projeetion,F. (Shown both in elevation and plan in Fig. 1.) This rim entersa curved recess, F, formed in the clamp F". The breadth of this recessis sufficient to freely permit the revolution of the air nularprojection F, provided that the said clamp F remains in its normalpositionthat is, in contact with the stop F, as shown in Fig. 1. Theclamp F" is pivoted at F to one end of a link, F", which, under theinfluence of the spring F normally holds the clamp against the adjustablc stop F. A slight movement of said link in the directionindicated by the arrow will cause the clamp F" to impinge angularly uponthe rim F, and thus to arrest its revolution. The other end of the linkF is provided with alongitudiual slot or fork, F loosely receiving oneend of the le ver G", which is rigidly connected to the axial core 11 ofthe electromagnetic coil J. The core lilis pivoted upon its verticalaxis, so as to be capable of revolving thereupon. The helix J isincluded in a derived circuit, K 19', spanning both the lruninous areand the regulating mechanism. A. soft-iron extension or pole-piece, l,is also rigidly connected to the core II, expanding into an armature, l,facing the clectro-magnet J, or the core may be prolonged to form saidarmature, which latter plan I prefer. The electro-magnet J is situatedin the main eircuitot' the light,which may be traced from the positivebindingscrcw L, by wire 1, normallyclosed contact T T", and wires andii,to the eleetro-magnet J, which is so wound as to develop a polarity inthe pole confronting the arnmture G" similar to that exhibited by saidarmature. From the electromagnet .l" the current passes to the plate Mat the point )I". thence to the electrodes A and A bracket D and wire 4,to the negative terminal. I it will therefore be understood that whenthe carbon electrodes are in contact the resistance of the are will benil and a powerful current will traverse-the coils of the olectromagnetif, while at the same time the current traversing the shuntwire 1Q 11"will be so feeble that the armature t will be but very slightlypolarized, and will accordingly be attracted toward instead of repelledfrom said magnet, thereby causing the lever G to propel the link F inoppositionto the spring F whereby the clamp F, impinging upon the rim F,will be caused to grasp said rim and move the train of wlierd-work in adirection opposite to that normally caused by its actuating source ofpower. The elec trodes A and A will be accordingly sepa rated from eachother. This se- )aration introduces a resistance into the main circuit,which, as it gradually increases, will, in accordance with theestablished laws of derived circuits, cause a greater proportion of thecurrent to traverse the shunt-circuit R R thus augmenting the strengthof the magnetic polarity of the armature G" and establishing a greaterdegree of repulsive force between said armature and the electro-magnetJ". IVe may ITO . goaoss p 3 thus consider that between the magnet J 2an'd-lcauses the holder D to turn or twist within its armature anattraction and a repulsion sim'ultaneously exist, the former increasingin strength as the electrodes approximate and the latter as theyseparate. The armature is also under the influence of the constant forceof the spring'F and under the most favorable conditions said armaturewill assume a normal intermediate position, to one side or the other ofwhich it will vibrate, according as the resistanceof the light tends tobecome abnormally great or small.

I will next describe the mechanism for withdrawing the light from thecircuit when, for any reason, it becomes inoperative.

I have showna lever, G rigidly connected to the core H, which latter, ashereinbefore explained, is capable of revolution upon its vertical axis.This lever is provided within its elbow G with a longitudinal slot, intowhich one end of the lever l enters. The lever N is fulcrume'd at N",and carries an armature, N, which plays between the contact-stops O 0and is retained in either of its extreme positions by some suitabledevice, such as a roller, 1?, mounted upon a spring, P The armature G isrigidly attached to the core H, as heretofore explained. \Vhen,therefore, an abnormal resistance is from any cause created in thelight-circuit, it will tend toincrease the strength of currenttraversing the coils of the electromagnet J, and hence the armature Grwill become more highly polarized. This polarity will be such as tocausethe armature to be repelled from the magnet J ,and to exert anattraction for the soft-iron core H In practice I prefer to envelop thiscore in acoil, J, and to include said coil in the main or light circuitin such manner as to develop therein an opposite polarity to thatmanifested by the'armature G".- Vhen this attraction exceeds apredetermined maximum strength, the extent'of which is capable ofregulation or adjustment by means of the set-screw H, which moves thecore to and fro in the direction of its length, the armature G will moveover to the core H the lever N will be moved so as to bring the armatureN against the contactstop 0 and a shunt-circuit of small resistance willbe closed, which will practically withdraw the lamp and itselectro-magnets from the main circuit. The circuit in such case passesfrom the terminal L, by wire 1, to contact-stop T T", wires 2 and 5,armature-lever N contact-stop O, and thence to terminal L Upon theremoval of the disturbing cause, so that the clock mechanism againcauses the approach of the electrodes, the light will be automaticallyre established in the following manner: Referring to Fig. 2, the lowercarbon is sustained by a curved holder, D rigidly extending from thescrew D ,which works within the revolving nut D". The holder D runsbetween the guide-rollers It R These direct the vertical motion of theholder'D and also serve as a fulcrum, so that the press ure of the upperelectrode upon the lower the rollersthat is, so that the screw D movesin the direction indicated by the arrow D, while the lower end of theholder D" moves in the opposite direction. The threads of the screw Dfit loosely within those of the nut D, and the barrel D, sustaining saidnut, has more or less freedom of motion within its collar in theframe-work M. The action of the pressure of the electrode is thereforeto strain the nut D in the direction indicated by the arrow, therebypressing the lower end, S, of the lever S, (which normally pressesagainst said nut,) and causing the upper end of said lever S to pressthe lever T away from its contact-point T vThe spring T acts to returnthe lever T to its normal position when the pressure of said lever S iswithdrawn. The lamp is now in condition to continue its normal operationin the manner already de scribed. By means of this apparatus I amenabled to automatically remove the defective lights from a circuit andto reintroduce them when the cause of the difficulty is withdrawn.

I find in practice that the helices of the magnet J in the shunt-circuitK K should be composed of thin wire presenting considerable resistance;but the said helices should not include all of the resistance of thesaid shunt-circuit, for were such the case the polarization of thearmature G would be too great. It is therefore advisable to introduceinto said shunt-circuit an additional adjustable resistance, U; or,having empirically determined the proper proportion between theresistances of said shunt-line and the coils of said electro magnet fora given light and strength of current, the lamps may be con structed inaccordance therewith, and the artificial resistance will in such case beunnecessary. WVhen the carbon electrodes have been consumed to suchextent that it is desirable to extinguish the light, a contact-point, V,will have descended with the positive carbon, so as to impinge upon acontact-point, V, which is connected by wire 4 to the binding-post LThis will establish a shunt which will extinguish the light, and thusprevent injury to the metallic portions of the apparatus,

In Fig. 2 I have shown in elevation the details of construction of apractical working apparatus. The same appears in Fig. 3 in plan somewhatenlarged. The apparatus is attached to a base of metal, M, whichsupports on its upper surface the clock-work mechanism, theclamp-levers. F, F, and G, and the cut-out devices, including the magnetJ The electrounagnets J J J the armature G the screws D and D, theguide-rods G O, and the lever S are supported from the under surface ofthe plate.

As corresponding parts are designated by similar letters of reference, adetailed description of the several parts is deemed unnecessary.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination, substantially as herecircuit, and vice versa, and clamping mechinbefore set forth, of theelectrodes of an arelamp, the mechanical clamping mechanism, a helixsituated in a shuntcircuit spanning said electrodes, a core revolvedwithin said helix upon its central longitudinal axis, and means,substantially such as described, eo-operating with said core, to operatesaid clamping ineelianism.

2. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of theelectrodes of an arclamp, mechanism for producing a constant forcetending to diminish the distance between said electrodes, at graspingmechanism, a helix situated in a shunt-circuit spanning said electrodes,an electromagnetic core within said helix revolving upon its centrallongitudinal axis, and means, substantially such as described,cooperating with said core, to operate said grasping mechanism andseparate said electrodes.

3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of theelectrodes of an arclamp, a mechanical clamping device, mechanism forproducing a constant force tending to detain said clamping device in anon-clamping position, a cylindrical core revolving on its verticallongitudinal axis under reciprocal changes in the strengths of the mainand branch currents, operating to bring said clamping mechanism intoaction when turning in one direction, and to return said clamping deviceto said non-clamping position when turning in the other direction.

at. The combination, substantially as here inbefore set forth, of acentral electro-magnctic core revolving upon its vertical longitudinalaxis, and polarized by the current which traverses a derived circuitspanning an electric are, a rightangled extension to said core, anelectro-magnet polarized by the li ghtproduein g current to a similarpolarity to that of said extension, but of greater intensity, foractuating said extension, and a clamping mechanism of an electric-arclight actuated by the rotary movements of said core.

The combination, substantially as here inbefore set forth, of theelectrodes of an are light, supported, respectively, by a screwrevolving in a nut and a nut revolving upon a screw, mechanism actuatedby a spring-power for approximating said electrodes, a clampingmechanism actuated by the movements of a polarized armature for graspingthrough intermediate mechanism said electrodes and sub jecting them tothe action of said polarized armature.

6. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of theelectrodes of an arclamp, screw and nut bearings for supporting the sameand allowing their vertical motion, mechanism actuated by a spring-powerfor approximating said electrodes, a core revolving on its centrallongitudinal axis under simultaneous increases in the strength ofcurrent traversing the main circuit and decreases in the strength ofcurrenttraversing the shuntanism actuated correlatively with saidmovements.

7. The combination, substantially as here inbel'ore set forth, of theelectrodes of an arclamp, a clamping mechanism, a shunt-circuit spanningsaid electrodes, a helix in said shuntcircuit, a core revolving on itsvertical longi tudinal. axis within said helix, means, substantiallysuch as described, for causing the revolution of said core, andintermediate mech anism whereby the motions of said core arecommunicated to said clamping mechanism.

8. The combination, substantially as here inbei'ore set forth, of theelectrodes of an arc lamp, nut and screwbearings substantially such asdescribed, a train of mechanism actir ated by a spring-power foradvancing said electrodes toward each other, a shaft,a clamp ingmechanism by which said shaft may be attached to the said advancingmechanism, a revolving core for impclling said shaft in such directionas to reverse the approximating ac tion of said advancing mechanism, ahelix in a shunt-circuit spanning the electric arc surrounding saidcore, an extension of said core, and an eleetro-magnet situated in themain cii cuit for attracting said extension.

9. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of anarmature polarized by the current which traverses a derived cir cuitspanning an electric are, a soft-iron core polarized by thelight-producing current to a polarity opposite to that of the saidarmature, and mechanism operated by the movements of said armature toclose a shunt spanning the electric are.

10. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a corerotated upon its vertical longitudinal axis, and polarized by a currenttraversing a derived circuit spanning an electric are, a soft-ironattractingpiece polarized by the light-producing current to a polarityopposite to that of said core, and. mechanism operated by the movementsof said core upon its axis to close a slnint-eircuit spair ning theelectric are.

11. Thevcombination, substantially as hcrcinbefore set forth, of a coresituated in the helix of a shunt-circuit spanning an electric are, anextension-piece of said core, whereby the same may be revolved by virtueof the attraction of said extension-piece for a piece of soilironpolarized by the light-producing current, a secondextension of saidcore, a subsidiary lever operated by the moven'ients of said secondextension, and contact-points carried by said subsidiarylevcr for cl osiug a cutout shunt circuit spanning said electric are.

12. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of anextension to a core revolving upon its central vertical axis, two fixedattraetion-pieces polarized by the lightprodueing current fordetermining the direction in which said core shall turn, mechan' isms bywhich a movement in one direction separates the electrodes, mechanismsby which given motion in the opposite direction allows points normallytogether, but separated by the their approximatiomand mechanismsby whichturning of said levers, and a shunt: circuit further motion in thislatter direction operspanning said arc-lamp thereby opened.

ates a shunting device for short-circuiting said In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto set 5 light. my hand this 30th day of J une, A. D. 1880.

13. The combination substantially as here- I 'inbefore set forth, oftlie electrodes of an are- ROBERT SHEEHY' lamp, one or more co-operatinglevers slight- Vitnesses:

1y turned upon their fulorums bythe pressure DANIEL WV. EDGEOOMB, [O ofsaid electrodes one upon the other, contact- CHARLES A. TERRY.

